15 Apartment Balcony & Terrace Ideas

When apartment hunting, renters are always on the lookout for covered outdoor space. Apartment balconies and terraces are a major perk but can sometimes look uncensored without a few touches to enhance the area. Here's everything you need to know about apartment terraces and balconies and how to turn them into an outdoor oasis.

What's the Difference Between a Balcony vs. Terrace?

Before you invest in decor and organization for your balcony or terrace, you should know the difference between the two first.

Construction

Balconies are affixed to buildings or homes, serving outdoor space for lounging or relaxation. Terraces are similar in that they can also be attached to a building or home. However, they are often detached from the rest of an apartment complex as a standalone structure on the garden level.

Location

Location is everything for an apartment, and the same thing goes for balconies and terraces. Although balconies usually start on the second floor, the higher you go, the better your views. If you want a birds-eye-view of the city, look for listings with balconies.

A terrace is usually constructed with a raised surface that is built on the ground. Apartment listings with courtyards may show a shared terrace space that's covered and will feature outdoor lounge chairs and areas to relax. If a private terrace is essential to you, look for first-floor, garden-level apartments with the outdoor space you want.

Size

Balconies tend to be much smaller than terraces. If outdoor space is essential to you, it's important to see what the balcony looks like in person. Real estate photos can make balconies look larger than life and give the impression of something majestic. Your apartment would have access to both a private balcony and a shared-use terrace to maximize your access to outdoor space in an ideal situation.

Are Terraces and Patios the Same Thing?

Depending on your location, some apartment buildings may use the term "terrace" interchangeably. However, there are a few key differences. A terrace is often built on stone, surrounded by plants or a gated area, and may have a covering or overhang.

While terraces are usually on the ground floor, they can also be located on different levels of an apartment building. A patio is flat on the ground level and usually extends off the back of a house, townhome, or first-floor apartment.

15 Apartment Balcony and Terrace Ideas

Now that you understand the difference between balconies and terraces, here are some tips on decorating and organizing them for optimal use. Before you get started, check your lease terms or ask your landlord if some additions like benches and flower boxes are allowed.

1. Comfy Chill Spaces

Whether you have a balcony or a terrace, making it comfy is a must. Try adding a free-standing hammock, plush seating, and weather-resistant rugs to get started. If your terrace is a shared communal area, invest in some portable padded chairs or outdoor pillows to enjoy the space on a sunny afternoon.

2. Beverage Bar Boutique

Turn your balcony or terrace into a gathering space with a well-stocked mini-fridge. Bar height or counter-level seating adds an inviting touch, so guests naturally wander outside to make themselves comfortable.

3. Outdoor Office Space

You can transform even the smallest balcony into outdoor office space with some ingenuity. A portable padded chair and balcony folding deck table are all you need to get started. Place the deck table over your rails and settle in for a day of work. If a folding desk isn't your thing, invest in a lightweight desk on wheels that can glide onto your balcony or terrace and back inside with ease.

While you can use weather-resistant bins to keep your things dry, it's best to take your makeshift office back indoors when you call it a day.

4. Garden Vibes

Creating your own lush and landscaped apartment garden is easy with the help of vertical planters. Vertical shelving, living walls, and hanging plants are a few ways to get started. If you're short on funds, repurposing free crates from local stores is an easy way to repurpose them into budget-friendly planters.

Once your vertical plant strategy is in place, enhance your look with string lighting and mini solar lanterns. When the sun sets, you’ll still be able to enjoy your softly lit garden from your balcony or terrace.

5. Shelter From the Sun

Make the most of your apartment terrace or balcony with some sun-shelter solutions. Adding outdoor drapes and shades that you can hang overhead or vertically welcomes the sun instead of making it feel intrusive and uncomfortably hot. The ride shade keeps your outdoor space comfortable and protects plants that don't require direct sunlight.

6. Unique Designs

Ready to drift away into the evening hours?

Get creative with your outdoor garden vibe using a nested swing. Laying down some faux grass or planting the real stuff in a shallow garden liner makes your balcony feel like you're in a mini backyard. Garden terraces also benefit from wire tunnels to plant ivy and greens for a vertical garden.

7. Maximize Storage

Grab some weatherized crates and turn them on their side for seating. The beauty is that the underneath stays open for extra storage. Beyond seating, a weather-resistant bookshelf displays your plants while storing your outdoor tools and blankets. Outdoor storage benches are also helpful and come in a variety of colors and textures to align with your favorite decor.

8. Play with Patterns

Patterns make your space look larger than life while flaunting your signature style. Use outdoor rugs, padded seats, and pillows in all your favorite designs, even if they don't go together. You'll end up with a colorfully eclectic space that you'll love to lounge in.

9. Try a Tent

While you may have seen decorative canopy tents in playrooms, they're also perfect for apartment balconies and terraces. Set them up outdoors and add a pillow and floor pad to lounge while reading outdoors. Canopy tents easily collapse and store as needed, or you can leave them up to incorporate into your outdoor decor.

10. Use Balcony Flower Boxes

Some apartments offer Juliet doors that open up your master bedroom or living space to the outside. You can still make the most of the small space with the help of balcony flower boxes.

Hang the boxes over the railing and plant colorful buds or a small herb garden. Beyond the green vibes, add a small table and folding bistro chairs to transform into a spot for al fresco dining or relaxation. When you're done, tuck into a closet or under your bed.

11. Add a Multifunctional Herb Garden

Planting herbs on your balcony or terrace is the perfect way to make your outdoor space multifunctional. Flowering herbs, including lavender, look gorgeous and can also be used for relaxation or refreshing the scent of your apartment. Herbs like oregano cover your green space and can be used to flavor your favorite sauces and dishes.

12. Make It Zen

Turn your outdoor space into a zen garden with mini fountains and succulents. Use a storage bench with storage inside to tuck away a yoga mat, journal, and favorite candles to transform your space into a meditative relaxation center at a moment's music.

13. Consider Your Privacy

Your efforts to create an idyllic garden space are easily derailed by proximity to neighbors. Whether they're nosy or not, you need some separation and privacy to enjoy your outdoor space. A bamboo screen and heavy drapes can instantly create a cozy outdoor space. Investing in a planter with a trellis softens the look and becomes part of your overall decor.

14. Make It Pet-Friendly

Give your furry friends a place to get fresh air and relax in the sunshine. Include catnip, fresh grass, and dog-friendly plants like basil or lemongrass. Some cozy pillows and a sheltered spot to curl up for an afternoon nap will make your balcony or terrace their new favorite area in your apartment.

15. It's All About the View

Apartment balconies and terraces may offer some functionality, though nothing is more important than the view. Make the most of it by arranging your plants, organizers, and decor accordingly. Even if you don't have much to look at, simply enjoying the stars or sunrise is worthy of an outdoor sport you love.

Final Thoughts

Take action with small or uninspired balconies and terraces and make them look grand with the right touches. Set a budget that works for you and get creative, adding green touches and a luxurious spot to relax with friends.